Korean culture is often a dynamic and fun to observe. Most of the time, from a foreigners viewpoint, it offers interesting quirks which might leave you either scratching your head or speechless. Here’s 10 of my favorite Koreans quirks…
Despite being unable to find a lick of English translation where I need it, Koreans actually think English words are cool, visually speaking.
Fake plastic models of alternatively safe ‘Korean fast food‘ meals for purchase.
Warning: video links referred to in this post are not for sensitive viewers or animal lovers.
Last year, I wrote a post, Fear Factor Korea: Foods which may make you cringe. This is belated but is the extension that I accidentally forgot to post…
It’s all too easy for a foreigner like myself, to point a camera and say, Ewww to foreign foods I’m not culturally raised with nor understand. That’s why in this post, I’d like to applaud Korea for is its proud aspiration towards healthy and FRESH foods.
And …to say, Ewww.
In Korea, it often feels like there are never any really fat Koreans (…okay, they are exceptions; but it’s rare)! Obesity is not a chronic problem in Korea, as it is in the west. One theory is owned to how Koreans eat healthy. Korea may have restaurant chains like McDonalds and Burger King, but they aren’t a ‘fast food’ kind of country.
Frozen or microwave foods ? Koreans like their food fresh.
Preservatives? The keyword is fermented.
Koreans do however, occasionally like their meals served simple, cheap and pali! pali (fast)!
The meals they sell are often thought of as “simple home foods”, which are made quickly and sold cheaply. Most of the dishes on the menu is under 5,000 won. Kimbap (sushi rolls), jigae (stews), ramen or udon (noodles dishes) and rice meals such as bibimbap are all standard platter of most kimbap shops (photo examples here). Order it as takeout or dine in; either way, your dish comes with a small plate of panjan (or side dishes).
Patbingsu at Paris Baguette
On the topic of food…
It was my second day back in Korea for the summer, I passed a neighborhood Paris Baguette and da-ding! I realized I was back in time to celebrate my favorite Korean dessert. Yes, it’s patbingsu (밭빈수) season! Yowza!
Patbingsu (팥빙수) is a popular shaved ice dessert in South Korea sold during the sweltering months of May-September. In short, it’s red azuki beans and shaved ice, served with various sides of fruit, mochi balls and sometimes, corn flakes. But there are various modifications of this– from green tea ice cream, condensed sweetened milk, mochiko powder and fruits which tend to revolve around pineapple, banana, watermelon, mandarin oranges and grapes (what I’ve experienced so far). It’s all (more…)
This post is for my expat homies in South Korea. I haven’t given you much love these days, but rest assured you’re still on my mind …
Some things are meant to be. Like second chances. They come around, staring you in the eye, even when you don’t know they’re there.
On my last food walkabout in Seoul, I reviewed a restaurant– Petra Palace (read my review)– that crafted falafels amongst other mediterranean dishes. My experience was not… so great– the owner was less than friendly and the falafels lacked character, flavor and spice. When I take a bite of a falafel, I feel like I’m inhaling the Middle East; my tastebuds on the other hand, still felt they were in Korea.
So the next time I hit Seoul, my quest was on again– find decent falafel sandwiches, the way I remember them! I strolled down Itaewon’s main street. Of all the middle eastern signs, there had to be a falafel somewhere — the whiff of roasting shwarmas was heavy perfume. But the handful of Middle Eastern joints I visited stocked only shwarma sandwiches… no falafels.
(Really? How can you have shwarmas but no falafels?) (more…)
Attention all Mac and Apple fans, you can get your Apple fix in Korea too!
When I first arrived to Korea and realized I needed a converter plug for my Apple Powerbook, I was given an apologetic look and an explanation that there weren’t many Apple stores here. I was told there was one store in Seoul called Frisbee.
there are more stores than I was led to believe… Korea has two certified Apple Reseller stores– Frisbee and a# .
So after having whimpered early off about my introduction to my apartment and Daegu, I’ve been reluctant to show you my free English teacher’s apartment….
Full Story »Do you find you often take your city for granted? I know I do.
I took Daegu for granted, wishing I lived in a more exciting city like Seoul. But one of the things I’ve found a deep love for, which Seoul could never replace, is my happy neighborhood of Singi-dong!
I’ve loved living in the suburbs, where life is slower and steeped with character.
But if you remember my first GRRRL whimper, I went into culture shock!
Full Story »Korea has one-stop shopping giants, similar to Target and Kmart…
with one major difference– Korea knows how to make shopping an experience!
Full Story »
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